St. Clement's School added to Historic Buildings Register.

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made (28/06/2006) regarding Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance in Jersey: assessment of St Clement’s School La Rue de la Chapelle, St Clement.

Subject:	Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance in Jersey: assessment of St Clement’s School La Rue de la Chapelle, St Clement
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-0060	Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written/oral	Person Giving Report (if oral):		Curator of Historic Buildings/Historic Buildings Officer
Telephone or e-mail meeting		Report File ref:
Written Report Title:	Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey - assessment of St Clement’s School, La Rue de la Chapelle, St Clement	Written report – Author:		Curator of Historic Buildings
Decision(s): St Clement’s School shall be added to the Historic Buildings Register as a Building of Local Interest.
Reason(s) for decision: In accordance with the strategic objective ‘to protect the best of the Island’s architectural heritage’ of the Island Plan 2002, and Policy HB1 of the Interim Policies for the Conservation of Historic Buildings Hill St Clement’s School, La Rue de la Chapelle, St Clement satisfies the published criteria for registration as a Building of Local Interest.
Action required:  Amend the Historic Buildings Register  Issue notification letter to owner  Notify Development Control – Urban Section and Policy & Projects
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 28 June 2006

St. Clement's School added to Historic Buildings Register.

		Item No:
		Date:

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Assessment of St Clement’s School, La Rue de la Chapelle, St Clement

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is for the Minister to consider whether St Clement’s School merits inclusion in the Historic Buildings Register, having regard to the States strategic objective ‘to protect the best of the Island’s architectural heritage’ and a key objective of the Island Plan 2002 to protect and promote Jersey’s built, cultural and archaeological heritage.

Background

This report has been prepared by the Jersey Heritage Trust as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the registration of buildings and sites. It incorporates the views of the Jersey Heritage Advisory Panel (JHAP) - a group established to provide independent, expert advice on matters relating to the protection of buildings and sites of cultural interest.

In November 2005, an officer of the Planning and Environment Department requested that JHAP assess the architectural and historic interests of St Clement’s School.

St Clement’s School was not included in the 1992 Historic Buildings Register and was not considered for registration by the Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee during its review of historic buildings in St Clement in 1999.

Discussion

St Clement’s School was built in 1901 with later additions and alterations.

The Curator of Historic Buildings (JHT) and Historic Buildings Officer visited the site on 18 November 2005. The officers’ agreed that St Clement’s School clearly has historic and cultural interest as one of the parish schools built as a result of the 1894 Law on Primary Instruction that introduced compulsory education for all children between the ages of 5 and 12 and required all parishes to provide a place of education.

It was noted that the original 1901 school survives although later extensions and external modifications have lessened its architectural interest. Despite this it was agreed that the original buildings and roadside wall continue to make a positive contribution to the scenic value of the area.

Taking these factors into account, the Curator of Historic Buildings recommended to JHAP that the original 1901 school buildings merit inclusion on the Register as a BLI - particularly for their historic and cultural interest.

JHAP carried out an external inspection of St Clement’s School during a site visit on 9 January 2006. The Panel acknowledged the historic and cultural interest of the school but concluded that the physical alterations that have been made to the original 1901 buildings and the incremental development of the site outweigh these interests and preclude the school from inclusion on the Register.

Subsequently a thematic analysis has shown that 9 local primary schools were constructed between 1897 and 1901 as a direct result of the 1894 Law on Primary Instruction. All of these nine schools survive today: seven are included in the Register - one as pSSI [La Moye] and six as BLIs [St Saviour, First Tower, St Lawrence, St Mary, St John & Besco Laundry, St Peter]. Two are not currently Registered – St Clement and St Martin.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the 1901 school buildings are added to the Register as a BLI.

Reason(s) for Decision

St Clement’s School satisfies the published criteria for registration.

The registration of St Clement’s School is in accordance with Interim Policy HB1 which states ‘Historic buildings which contribute positively to the distinctive character or appearance of Jersey’s built-up areas or countryside, particularly where they are of ‘group value’, will be identified and included in the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey.’

The registration of St Clement’s School is in accordance with Interim Policy guidance 5.2 which sets out the main selection criteria - in particular:

· Architectural interest: Buildings which are significant examples of particular building types…whose interest may not necessarily be expressed in high aesthetic quality;

· Historic interest: Buildings which illustrate significant aspects of Jersey’s social, economic, cultural or military history;

· Scenic and group value, particularly where a group of buildings together, or an individual building in its landscape setting, comprise a formal or informal ensemble whose collective quality is more than the sum of the parts.

Action Required

 Amend the Historic Buildings Register to include St Clement’s School as a BLI

 Issue a notification letter to the owner

 Notify the Development Control – Urban Section and Policy and Projects of the decision.

Written by:	Roger Hills Curator of Historic Buildings - Jersey Heritage Trust

Approved by:	Fiona Smith Historic Buildings Officer It is also recommended that Martin’s Primary School should be assessed for Registration.

Endorsed by:	Kevin Pilley Assistant Director

Attachments:

Location plan

Historic building survey form

Photographs of St Clement’s School

Photographs and descriptions of other parish schools built as a result of the 1894 law

26 April 2006